Pure Michigan Blog

Hip & Homegrown Gifts in Pure Michigan

Gift expert Lindsay Roberts of TheGiftInsider.com suggests some made in Michigan gift ideas

I can’t say enough about the original and simply amazing products that come from the Midwest’s high-five, Michigan. From artisan oils and cookies to fashionable local-designer duds and modern forms of art filled with raw emotion and real hardwork – our hometown state provides some of the best gifts that are born and bred right here in Michigan (just like I was!)

I am a Michigan gal and founder of TheGiftInsider.com, an ultra-hip and highly curated website that reviews and recommends the most under-the-radar and cool gift ideas. The site let’s visitors browse for gifts by price, person, occasion or personality and offers exclusive discount codes for many products recommended on the site.

Here we’ve put together a compilation of Made in Michigan Gifts that we’re loving this holiday season:

The Mitten State represents the whole state and they do it well! With vintage inspired Michigan shirts from the 70’s and 80’s designed and printed by Michiganders, for Michiganders, this “love” vintage tee for $26 is perfect for the proud local. This shirt is their Michigan-themed take on the original “Love” design with the “o” replaced with the outline of the mitten state. Also, with every purchase The Mitten State will donate to one of three charities that you get to choose from: Michigan Humane Society, The Food Bank Council of Michigan and the Conductive Learning Center.

Have you ever been to an olive oil and vinegar tasting? Although it sounds weird, once you try the craft olive oils and vinegars at Fustini’s, you’ll be inspired to put so many surprising flavor combinations together. A “fustini” in Italy is actually the stainless steel containers where the olive oil and vinegars are stored and that’s exactly how you’ll see them stored at one of their stores in Traverse City, Petoskey Ann Arbor and Holland. For the foodie in your life, this is the perfect gift. Receiving new oils and vinegars each month will entice you to try new recipes (plus, Fustini’s has many to choose from on their site). My favorite combination is Strawberry Balsamic mixed with Basil Oil – it adds a nice subtle flavor kick to your everyday salad. Oil & Vinegar of the Month Club packages start at $129.

Based in Marquette, this U.P. store offers some awesome goods from clothing and food to candles and greeting cards. Their gift baskets, ranging from $59-$99, are a great way to give someone a sampling of what the U.P. has to offer. Some items featured in the baskets are a hanging ornament made by J.R. Scott, Maple Sugar by Olson Brothers, Michigan Pine Candles from Northern Michigan Beeswax and a seasonal coffee blend by Dead River Coffee. Give the gift of U.P. local flavor – it will definitely inspire anyone to plan their next get-away to the up-up north.

Detroit Inspired Art Work by MetroDevious

Sooney Kadouh creates “Genuine Detroit Art” that will add some local flare to your space. He’s all about creating something original and bold and of course, something Detroit. Sooney’s prints featuring photographs of iconic Detroit, give you a piece of the city to put on your wall, starting at just $20. Check out his online store or you can see his art in person at various galleries and stores around the Southeastern area of the state.

Pick the lake of your choice and an artist will create your very own lake depth chart carved out in wood. It’s an interesting piece of art that puts your favorite lake on display. For more information about pricing and customization and other great Pure Michigan gifts, visit the PureMichiganStore.org.

This unique jewelry designer is based in Birmingham and her pieces are starting to cause quite a fashion statement. With mixed metals, chains, precious stones and charms Marlaina Stone’s “Controversy” line of multi-strand bracelets and necklaces are an outfit on their own. She’s nailed the art of mixing, matching and layering jewelry, making it easier to just throw on one statement piece and go. With so many eye-catching combinations, this line has something for everyone—mixing the feminine with the heavy metal. This is the perfect gift for the trendy person in your life who is always looking for something original. Bracelets start at $89.

Signature Clutches from Hydrangea BLU

Handmade in Traverse City by Kristy Kurjan, a former Glamour magazine photoshoot stylist and wardrobe consultant for the Oprah show, these fun and flirty clutches are the perfect addition to any outfit. Reasonably priced at $34 and made with an array of fabrics ranging from funky to classic, it’s the perfect gift for any lady who’s all about accessorizing. Available in various boutiques in Northern Michigan, you can also buy these fabulous clutches on Hydrangea BLU’s online shop.

One of the most unique gifts of the season that not only buys you a “producer credit” under the film’s listing on IMDB but you also become a piece of the larger puzzle that’s helping to fund this film so it will eventually be ready for the big screen. Lemonade: Detroit is a powerful film about the disarming resilience of a city that can no longer rely on a single industry for its livelihood and chronicles those who are reinventing themselves and their communities. No matter where you’re from, this film will make you think, cry and want to take action in a city that needs us. Starting at just a $1, buying a frame for a gift is not only completely uncommon, but you’re also buying a piece of art that will become so meaningful to so many people.

This season, there’s no need to look outside the state for unique gifts. This list is just a sampling of the amazing things that Michigan has to offer. Check out The Gift Insider’s Local Gifts section featuring “Michigan Gifts” for more creative ideas.

TheGiftInsider.com is a free gift recommendation service that helps web-savvy shoppers find hand-selected and creative gift ideas, then links shopper to the merchant that sells these cool products. The site let’s visitors browse for gifts by price, person, occasion or personality and offers exclusive discount codes for many products featured on the site.

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you can also shop handmade AND homegrown in places like Etsy.com.
they have a “shop local” feature that’s just amazing!

Karen

Just thought you might like to know that “The Coffee Beanery” is a made in Michigan coffee. Their coffee is roasted, packaged, and shipped from Flushing Michigan. They have stores in the states and over sea’s. If you would like more imformation you can call them at 810-733-1020 or on the web at http://coffeebeanery.com/?source=pjn&subid=31860. I worked there for eleven years and they have many straight and flavor coffee’s to choose from. The owners are Julius and Joanne Shaw.

http://madehere-mich.com/ Lori Nixon

Check out our handcrafted black cherry wood bread and cheese boards “made here” in Ferndale, Micighan. And they’re now branded with our cool logo. People love ‘em. And you can order online!

Brian Kinghorn

Speaking of etsy.com, my wife makes custom crayon rolls for the kids and jewelry rolls, scarves, other accessories for the ladies in your lives. All Zuzoo’s Petals creations are handmade locally here in Cereal City (Battle Creek). Her work is also featured at the Kingman Museum and Battle Creek Art Center. Check it out for a unique gift idea for the holidays.http://www.etsy.com/shop/ZuzooPetals?page=1

http://www.TheSewingFool.etsy.com monique

Stehanie beat me too it. Etsy has lots of great independent artists and the shop local function is super easy to use.

Dana A. Romero

Great article. I would like to add a website that actually has over 30 different gourmet gift clubs ranging from salsa, tea, olive oil and BBQ sauce of the month clubs to clubs like soda of the month and Ketchup of the Month. Take a look at http://www.ofthemonthshop.com/ to get a true look at a of the Month club website.

http://www.foundgallery.com mary at FOUND

Thanks for this blog post. Here’s another place to add to your list: At FOUND in Ann Arbor, we carry the work of about a dozen Michigan artists – Burlap Boutique recycled coffee bags made in Brighton, felted wool polar bears from the Au Gres Sheep Factory, fork art angels, ornaments, jewelry, magnets and more made in Ann Arbor.